LCV Statement on House Passage of Polluter Pushed Legislation to Block EPA from Protecting Public Health

WASHINGTON – League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski issued the following statement on the passage of legislation in the U.S. House to block the EPA from enforcing commonsense safeguards to curb carbon pollution and protect public health:

“We are highly disappointed in those members of Congress who voted today to protect polluter profits and weaken public health protections. With identical legislation having failed in the Senate yesterday, it’s clear that this vote was purely to show corporate campaign contributors that their allies in Congress are fighting for them. The buck must stop here on this dangerous legislation. It’s a travesty that when given the opportunity to defend vital clean air safeguards, these members chose instead to block the EPA from doing its job to protect the health of American families.

The fight to protect clean air will surely continue as evidenced by those in Congress who vow continued attacks on the environment and the EPA. We call on President Obama to do everything in his power to stop -- including veto if it comes to that -- any bill that attempts to weaken, delay or block the continued implementation of the Clean Air Act’s necessary public health protections.”